May 15, 2007

Physicians should be aware of medications that can cause adverse reactions and failure of therapy if dosages are not adjusted properly in patients with chronic kidney disease. Initial dosages can be determined using published guidelines but should be adjusted based on patient…

Many uterine fibroid tumors are asymptomatic and may be diagnosed incidentally. Several imaging modalities are available to evaluate their size and position. Treatment should be individualized and may include hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, myolysis, and…

Acute pancreatitis, a reversible inflammatory process of the pancreas, can be limited to pancreatic tissue or can involve peripancreatic tissues or more distant organ sites. Acute pancreatitis may occur as an isolated attack or may be recurrent and can range in severity from…

Impacted cerumen can cause complications such as hearing loss, pain, and dizziness, and it also can interfere with tympanic membrane examination. The overall quality of evidence on treatments is limited, but watchful waiting, manual removal, use of ceruminolytics, and…

The challenge of editing articles for American Family Physician is to combine a thorough knowledge of medicine with skillful wordsmithing. To meet this challenge, medical and professional editors work collaboratively to guide articles from submission to print, while ensuring…

GAO Report Demonstrates Potential Cost Benefits of Physician Profiling | Congress Requests Study of Resident Duty Hours and Patient Safety | AAFP Calls for Federal Funding Increases for Key Programs in 2008 | Universal Credentialing Form Adopted in Seven States | Study Finds…

According to study results published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, children consume nearly one third more snack food when they eat in large groups. Researchers analyzed the dietary patterns of 54 children 2.5 to 6.5 years of age. They found that those who ate in…

The management options for uterine fibroid tumors have expanded greatly in the past 20 years. As Dr. Evans discusses in this issue of American Family Physician,1 there are few randomized trials to help generate level A evidence for appropriate counseling. Because of this lack…

In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked the overall performance of health care systems of its member nations.1 It considered responsiveness of the system, fairness of financial contribution, overall health goal attainment, per capita health care expenditure, and…

The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are uncomfortable for patients, can prolong hospitalization, and can lead to more serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia.

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

Inhaled insulin provides an alternative route of administration for rapid-acting insulin but offers no other benefit over available insulin therapy. It may reduce, but not eliminate, the need for self-injection in patients with type 1 diabetes. In patients with type 2 diabetes…

A joint guideline for atrial fibrillation has been released by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC). This guideline assists physicians by describing diagnosis and management options.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the Child Neurology Society have created recommendations for evaluation and diagnostic laboratory testing of children with status epilepticus.

Improving dietary and lifestyle habits is a critical part of any strategy for cardiovascular risk reduction. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently revised its diet and lifestyle recommendations to reflect new evidence.

Earwax, or cerumen (suh-ROO-mun), is a wax made in your ear. It protects the skin inside your ear canal.